Would a prime Sonny Liston KO the 1971 Ali who fought Frazier?

One of the most intriguing questions I've come across in classic forum. Man, I'm a little stumped. A prime Liston wouldn't fatigue like Foreman did if Ali spent allot of time on the ropes, and the hard jabs that missed the leaning back Ali of their first fight would likely find a home on Ali's head. Their first fight was even on the cards when Liston quit, a prime Liston ready for fifteen rounds wouldn't do any worse.

 

I really don't think that any version of Sonny Liston beats a 1971 Ali, nor most renditions anytime pre-1976.

Ali in 1971, was still 29 years of age, in great shape, coming off wins over two top 10 contenders, and battled a prime Frazier over 15 rounds in what became one of the greatest battles of all time. At an even later age, Ali's chin and heart would stand up to the fire power of both George Foreman and Earnie Shavers. Liston would have to be sporting the very best performance of his career, while Ali would have to be giving one of his worst in order to turn the tables in favor of Sonny.

My honest opinion...

 

No. Nobody ever KO'd Ali. Ali Tko 10

 

Agreed. It's not so much a thing against Liston, it's just that Ali matches up so great with relatively slow, hard hitters.

Frazier had the most special win in heavyweight history that night, and Liston could not repeat that, against Ali. Let's not forget that Frazier was more motivated than anyone to take out Ali and basically had to pay with his career for that victory. Muhammad's durability, stamina (61 punches p/r over 15 rounds against Frazier), intimidation factor, and heart would always be too much for Liston, while Frazier has the style to neutralise most of those: especially what was an intimidation factor for Liston, only seemed to give Frazier more strength. Different folks different strokes.

 

No, still far too slow, stylistically all wrong, Liston doesnt have the same pressure that Frazier brings that took the wind out of Ali's sails

 

How would you say Ali lacked mobility in 1971?



Sidenote - Everyone thought a stationary target would be destroyed by Foreman, in 1974. Ali was just that and stopped him in 8. Dito with Shavers, although he couldn't close the show convincingly anymore by that point.

 

No I don't think he stops Ali while Muhammad might not move as much as he did in 64/65 he wasn't stationary and the fact that he wouldn't be intimidated would also be a factor. Liston would have a better chance but I'll still probably favour Ali he is a difficult style and was still a quality fighter in 71.

 

I don't think anyone really KO's Ali .... maybe in one of a series of bouts Louis catches him but that is about it ... again, maybe ...

 

Liston wouldn't ko him, and you guys are right, that was the question. Could a prime Liston get the decision over fifteen here though. For several fights early in Ali's comeback, Oscar and Frazier 1, he hardly moved as he once did at all. Later he found a way back on his toes as in Frazier 2. Here though we have the Ali that took numerous head shots from a pretty slow Bonavena, and Liston with longer arms and in his prime, would do a little better.

 

Ali would come from behind & outland Sonny in the championship rds to take a close decision as even then, I feel Ali has better stamina than Liston but he would take some thunderous punches thru the early & mid rds especially & some may even debate the verdict as Sonny would land the harder punches & probably rock Ali several times.

Ali W15 Liston - close fight that Liston could win himself.

 

I think it would be a good fight but Liston fought no one near as good as these two during his reign of terror.